Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Goldstein. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kim, thanks for joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

As the owner of Journeys Inc. a travel agency in Richmond, VA, the impact of Covid was profound. We were forced to cancel all scheduled vacations for several months, leading to a challenging period where our revenue was directly tied to our clients’ ability to travel. The relentless cycle of booking, rebooking, and canceling meant countless unpaid hours of work.

Determined to preserve our team and maintain our valued customer base, I tirelessly sought ways to retain bookings. Balancing this with a commitment to our clients’ comfort became a delicate challenge. Since 1987, Journeys Inc. has been a trusted travel partner. Having joined the company in 2006 and later purchasing it in 2017, I felt a deep responsibility to guide our clients through the unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic.

We quickly became experts in topics previously unimaginable, from Covid test results to vaccination requirements, transmission rates, and evolving cancellation policies. Our clients leaned on us for guidance, and we navigated through uncharted territory to keep them informed and reassured.

As the world emerged from the pandemic, a surge of “revenge travel” ensued, with people eager to explore once more. Our business experienced unprecedented growth, doubling from 2019 to 2021 and reaching new heights in 2022, marking our best year in travel sales ever.

Amidst the chaos, we adapted to handle the influx of inquiries and implemented streamlined processes. Making strategic hires, we built a resilient team ready to take us to the next level. Our efforts were particularly successful in the destination wedding sector, achieving record levels as we perfected our processes for couples and their guests.

Our diligence materialized in the execution of numerous successful destination weddings and remarkable vacations. It was very gratifying to bring joy to so many during a dark period. Friends and families created lasting memories, grateful for the break from reality and something to look forward to amid the uncertainty.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m your go-to travel consultant and aficionado of umbrella drinks, flamingos, and tacos by the water. Born with a love for tropical escapades and Disney wonders, my journey with Journeys Inc. began in 2006, turning my passion into a profession.

Considering floating as a professional sport and irresistibly drawn to places with palm trees, I’m your guide to the world of relaxation and tropical oasis. A certified Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist with expertise in Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Sandals, Beaches, Hard Rock All-Inclusive, Unico, Karisma, Lomas, Playa Resorts, and more, I know exactly what my clients need, sometimes even before they do. With my extensive travel and industry knowledge, I’m able to tap into my network to provide uniquely personalized service from start to finish.

I’ve been recognized as one of the ‘Top 25 Agents in 2015’ by Travel Agent Magazine, my awards, including Top Sales Performer, Rising Star, and Outstanding Sales Achievement, reflect my dedication. Journeys Inc. has received accolades such as the WeddingWire Couples Choice Awards and recognition as Richmond’s Top Honeymoon Planner since 2014.

Beyond the awards, I find true joy in satisfied clients who keep returning to plan their next adventure. With Journeys, you’re not just booking a trip – you’re guaranteeing yourself the vacation of a lifetime, every time! I’m most proud of taking a long-standing travel agency and growing it to become a nationally recognized travel agency. Our knowledge and experience of travel help our clients have amazing vacations and destination weddings. We pride ourselves on being experts in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Costa Rica with a focus on destination weddings and honeymoons.

Certifications & Awards throughout the years:

Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist
St Lucia Expert-Top 15 Seller in Norh America
Sandals & Beaches Chairman’s Royal Club
Platinum Sandals & Beaches Specialist
Jamaica Specialist
Hard Rock/Unico’s WOW Specialist for Weddings
Hard Rock/Unico’s IWOW Specialist for South Asian/Indian Weddings
Karisma Resorts’ GIVC Agent
Disney’s College of Knowledge
Hawaii Specialist
Hyatt Inclusive Confidant Agent-Top 10 Seller in the US
GIVC Agent-Diamond 4 Agent
AIC-Triple Platinum Agent

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I ran into my travel agent in the grocery store after I thought I had retired from work following the birth of my second son. I told her I was helping a lot of my friends plan their vacations and she told me to come do it for her and then I would have “a little part-time job.” Well in 18 years this has become much more! I’ve been able to do something that I love and help my clients create priceless memories.

I spent a lot of time marketing and building processes to assist in growing my business along with our team. What I didn’t expect was to create an entirely new network of friends who have the same passion as I do. The travel industry is very unique and we all work together even though we’re technically competitors. This allowed me to not only grow our team but also expand the scope of our business. My focus used to be family vacations, but now I’ve expanded to more of a focus on destination weddings and honeymoons, as I discovered I really love the Romance Travel side of the business.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Referrals are always our best source of business for us. When your company has been around since 1987, clearly something has been done right. The previous owners of the business did a great job of creating an impeccable reputation in Richmond, Virginia, but then when I bought the business I focused more on the entire US, which was necessary when focusing on the destination wedding and honeymoon market. We have excellent travel consultants located in different areas who also maintain a strong relationship with their local markets.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.journeysinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeysinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/journeystravelinc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-goldstein-0ab40b79/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JourneysInc